Just Stop Oil protesters briefly disrupt the Ashes cricket test between England and Australia

Two protesters from the Just Stop Oil group ran onto the pitch at Lords and briefly stopped play about five minutes after the start of the second Ashes Test between England and Australia today.

Environmental activists tried to spread orange powder on the field, but England and Australia players intervened.

England wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow tackled one protester and carried the person for about 50 meters before leaving him in the hands of security across the boundaries. England captain Ben Stokes and Australia batsman David Warner surrounded another protester.

Orange powder was released, but only on the grass, off the field.

Three people have been arrested and taken into custody, Londons Metropolitan Police said in a statement.

Bairstow went to the England dressing room to clean himself of the powder, Lords staff quickly cleaned up the small orange that fell onto the turf and play resumed after about five minutes.

Just Stop Oil protesters have disrupted other major sporting events in Britain this year. They briefly held up the England team bus for a test against Ireland in London this month and have targeted Premier League football matches, the Premier League rugby final at Twickenham and the snooker world championships in Sheffield.

Activists want the British government to stop licensing and producing new fuels.